St. Pete motorist dies day after colliding with bus

A motorist who ran a red light and collided with a bus has died, St. Petersburg police said.

Four children and two adults also were injured in the wreck, which happened about 6:20 p.m. Thursday at Fifth Avenue North and 37th Street.

According to police, a 2006 Saturn ran a red light and collided with a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus, which then ran into the side of a flower shop at 3711 Fifth Ave. N., causing minor damage.

After colliding with the bus, which had a green light, the Saturn struck a light pole.

The Saturn's driver, Mike Gawthrop, 50, of 4445 Burlington Ave. N., St. Petersburg, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead Friday night.

Four children were in the Saturn: Destiny Hodges, 9; Jezmeralda Hodges, 11; Malik Hodges, 7; and Aaliyah Hodges, 6. All remained in All Children's Hospital today; their conditions were not available.

The bus driver, Darlene Seay, 44, and one of the two passengers, 76-year-old Richard Hunter, were taken to St. Anthony's Hospital with minor injuries, police said.